Feeding and Leading

Psalm 78:70-72

The Shepherd Analogy:

• Anecdote about a vocational guidance test suggesting a young man become a shepherd
• God has historically used shepherds to accomplish His purposes
• Examples of biblical shepherds: Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, and Jesus as the Good Shepherd

Psalm 78:70-72 – Theme Verse:

• Reading and explanation of Psalm 78:70-72
• Importance of integrity and skillfulness in leadership

Three Basic Needs for Effective Ministry:

• Need of God's People:
  • Feeding and leading: Emphasis on the necessity of spiritual nourishment and proper guidance
  • Critique of modern church practices substituting entertainment and activities for true ministry
  • Example of Paul’s teaching to Ephesian elders
• God’s Need:
  • God’s choice of David as a shepherd
  • Characteristics God looks for: a heart of integrity and skillful hands
  • Importance of having a shepherd’s heart and developing ministerial skills
• Need of the Shepherd:
  • Integrity: Defined as oneness or wholeness of life
  • Importance of practicing what one preaches and maintaining consistency in character
  • Personal anecdote about integrity in ministry and Alexander White’s advice

Conclusion:

• Encouragement to graduates and listeners to be part of the solution, not the problem
• Emphasis on making a difference through integrity and skill in ministry
• Prayer for God's guidance and blessings on their ministry

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.